Flint Knapping Tools

Artifacts which were
used in the manufacture of chipped flint items are often found on archaeological
sites. Other than hammerstones, the most common items include antler batons
or billets for percussion chipping, and bone or antler tools for pressure
chipping. These are found throughout most sections of Oklahoma and may
occur from any time period.

Flint knapping generally
involves two methods which are termed percussion chipping and pressure
chipping. In percussion chipping the core or block of flint is hit with
a hammer-like blow to detach the flint flake. This is usually done with
a stone hammer to rough out a preform or quarry block that may be made
into some specific artifact. This rough preform will later be thinned
and shaped by the use of a bone or wood baton or billet which will produce
a thinner and flatter flake than a stone hammer would produce. A heavy
section of deer or elk antler makes a suitable baton or bone hammer for
percussion chipping and such specimens are often found on archaeological
sites. These sections of antler, sometimes called "tapping tools"
should show evidence of wear from use as a striking hammer for knapping.
Since the Indians often used antler for other purposes, in making handles,
for example, evidence of wear is important in identifying knapping tools.
Examples of such tools made of deer antler are illustrated in Figure
28a-b.

In the case of pressure
chipping, the flake of flint is detached by applied pressure or force
rather than by the use of a hammerstone or billet. This is usually done
with a piece of bone or antler which serves as an applicator for applying
the pressure. The bone tool is placed on the preform edge which serves
as the striking platform, and pressure is applied by hand to remove the
flake. Since the bone pressure tool is placed at the exact point where
one wants to remove the flake, it provides better control over the flake
removal than is possible with a hammerstone or baton. Pressure chipping
is normally used for making arrow points, sharpening edges, cutting notches,
producing serrations, or similar fine flaking that may be desired. Pressure
flaking tools are commonly termed "flakers or flaking tools"
when reported from excavations. One common form is a flaker made from
the ulna of the deer (Figure 28c-d).
The U-shaped socket of the ulna provides an excellent finger hold when
using this tool for chipping. Other flakers were made from deer antler
tines, for they are ready for use as a flaker without modification. The
tips of the antler will display wear and abrasions when they were used
as flaking tools. Flakers were also made from various portions of cut
bone or antler and often resemble bone awls except for the blunted tip.
The tool became blunted and marred from contact with the flint in use
as a pressure applicator, and this should be evident for proper identification
of the flaking tool (Figure 28e).